Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:36:07 -0400 From: Hobey Ford <hobeyone-AT-gmail.com> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Copyright question I built some puppets for Willey and the Hairyman. There is at least one play version like this one http://www.dramaticpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=1709 The problem is that permissions for plays are often very expensive, where as If you write your own then it is a matter of getting permission from the author through their agent. This cost could be a one time $1000. fee. The play route means an ongoing fee. Also with published plays, you are not allowed to alter the play in ANY way. So I'd advise staying away from "plays". I prefer going to the book and following the copyright backwards tracing each and every version for changes,. At a certain point you almost always arrive at a version that is copyright free. You just need to not include any detail from the later copywritten versions. Authors sytematically add details just for the purpose of identifying their version and protecting that version. (The ruby slippers for instance began as silver ones and "wicked couldn't use that detail without getting into copyright hell) I used to hire a local playwright to find stories and research them back to precopyright versions, and then he'd write me a play as work for hire and I would then edit and redo it for my own use. I did this with many productions. It averaged $500. You can do the first part on your own at the library. Folktales are especially good because they almost always have very old precopyright sources. This story is an excellent one for puppet use. I use it in shadow workshops. By the way my favorite version is the book by Molly Bang http://www.mollybang.com/wiley.html Source for play permissions http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/index.php _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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